Plans to build new 200-student Palmerston Special Education School announced
The Finocchiaro government have announced plans to build a new $110m ‘state-of-the-art’ special education school for Palmerston which will accommodate 200 students from 2029.
The Finocchiaro government will build a new special education school in Palmerston which will open in Term 1, 2029.
The government described the new $110m Palmerston Special Education School as a “state-of-the-art” inclusive education facility which will accommodate 200 students.
The new school will sit next to the current Palmerston College Rosebery middle school campus in accordance with recommendations made by the Disability Royal Commission.
A CLP government spokesman said the plans were part of the government’s broader program to phase out middle schools across the Territory.
“A purpose-built Special Education Secondary School in Palmerston will provide more options for parents, who may have their children currently in mainstream schools or travel long distances to a special school further away,” the spokesman said.
“In turn this will reduce enrolment pressures on the Special Education Centre at Palmerston College and Henbury School.”
Then Shadow Education Minister Jo Hersey presented a petition requesting this school to NT parliament in March 2024 while in Opposition.
“I’ve advocated for this Special Education School in Opposition, and I haven’t stopped now we’re in government, and I’m proud to announce the CLP government is delivering Palmerston a Special Education School,” Mrs Hersey said.
“In the last Parliament I presented a petition with 940 signatories — the former Labor government ignored it.
“Today we’re delivering.”
Disabilities Minister Jinson Charls said the school’s design and concept would reflect recommendations made by the Disability Royal Commission.
“This new school is about creating the right environment for every child who needs extra support in their learning,” Mr Charls said.
“Importantly, the design reflects the Disability Royal Commission’s recommendation that new special schools be located alongside mainstream schools, allowing students to benefit from both specialist support and shared educational, cultural, and sporting experiences with their peers.”
The Disability Royal Commission published its final report in September, 2023, making 222 recommendations to improve legislation, policies, and practices for Australians living with a disability.
One contentious recommendation was the phasing out of schools which cater exclusively to students with special needs, known as ‘special schools’ or ‘non-mainstream’ schools.
Three commissioners recommended the ultimate phasing out of special schools by 2051, while the other three, including the chair Ronald Sackville, disagreed.
All commissioners recommended any new ‘non-mainstream schools’ should be built “in close proximity to mainstream schools”.
As such this school will be designed to integrate with the mainstream Rosebery campus.
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Originally published as Plans to build new 200-student Palmerston Special Education School announced
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